DETAILS:
On 10/13/12 at approximately 10:12 pm, Oxnard police officers attempted to make a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle initially failed to stop for the officers. The driver eventually stopped his vehicle in the area of Second Street and Grant Avenue. The vehicle was occupied by three male subjects and they refused to comply with the officers’ instructions. For approximately 10 minutes, the officers tried to gain compliance from the occupants. During that time officers relayed information that one subject was talking on a cell phone and another was simulating a weapon with his hands.

While on scene, officers were advised by dispatch that the police department had just received a call from a nearby resident that the vehicle occupants had possibly brandished a handgun. As the officers coordinated their response and continued to try and gain the subjects’ compliance, the driver suddenly drove from the scene and attempted to evade the officers. After a short pursuit, the driver stopped his vehicle in the 100 block of North Garfield Avenue.

Preliminary information indicates the following: As soon as the driver stopped, two subjects exited the vehicle and ran from the officers. The officers chased the subjects and were fired upon. Multiple officers returned fire.

The scene was very chaotic with the gunfire and multiple subjects running on foot. Upon securing the scene, one subject was arrested. A second subject sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital. There were two subjects that sustained fatal gunshot wounds. At this point in the investigation, investigators do not know the involvement of the fourth subject in this incident.

No officers were injured in the incident.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the investigation, along with assistance from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and the Oxnard Police Department. The Oxnard Police Department will also conduct an administrative investigation.